VRTGX vs. EMCAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VRTGX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) and EMCAX (Empiric 2500 Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VRTGX returned 11.40%/yr vs 10.89%/yr for EMCAX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VRTGX charges 0.08%/yr vs 1.96%/yr for EMCAX.

Performance

VRTGX vs. EMCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) and Empiric 2500 Fund (EMCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRTGX achieves a 16.85% return, which is significantly higher than EMCAX's 12.65% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VRTGX having a 11.40% annualized return and EMCAX not far behind at 10.89%.

VRTGX

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: 2.41%
• YTD: 16.85%
• 6M: 13.68%
• 1Y: 37.55%
• 3Y*: 18.22%
• 5Y*: 5.71%
• 10Y*: 11.40%

EMCAX

• 1D: 1.46%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: 12.65%
• 6M: 9.02%
• 1Y: 18.41%
• 3Y*: 13.11%
• 5Y*: 4.38%
• 10Y*: 10.89%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VRTGX vs. EMCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	16.85%	12.97%	15.26%	18.80%	-26.30%	2.82%	34.81%	28.84%	-9.21%	22.27%
EMCAX Empiric 2500 Fund	12.65%	2.37%	13.89%	12.43%	-16.06%	16.07%	27.81%	19.10%	-4.64%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VRTGX and EMCAX is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.89

The correlation between VRTGX and EMCAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (1 year) to 0.92 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VRTGX vs. EMCAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VRTGX

VRTGX Risk / Return Rank: 39
VRTGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VRTGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VRTGX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
VRTGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VRTGX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

EMCAX

EMCAX Risk / Return Rank: 26
EMCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
EMCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
EMCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
EMCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
EMCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VRTGX vs. EMCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) and Empiric 2500 Fund (EMCAX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	VRTGX	EMCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	1.27	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	1.94	+0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.22	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	2.10	+0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.17	7.92	+1.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VRTGX vs. EMCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRTGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is higher than the EMCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRTGX and EMCAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VRTGX	EMCAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	1.27	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.24	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.54	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.46	+0.05

Drawdowns

VRTGX vs. EMCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRTGX drawdown since its inception was -41.97%, smaller than the maximum EMCAX drawdown of -51.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTGX and EMCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRTGX	EMCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.97%	-51.81%	+9.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.80%	-8.60%	-6.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.54%	-19.19%	-9.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.48%	-30.60%	-9.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.97%	-42.79%	+0.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.38%	-1.15%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.43%	-13.27%	+2.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	2.28%	+1.82%

Volatility

VRTGX vs. EMCAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) has a higher volatility of 6.62% compared to Empiric 2500 Fund (EMCAX) at 4.84%. This indicates that VRTGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRTGX	EMCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.62%	4.84%	+1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.82%	11.30%	+4.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.42%	14.22%	+7.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.56%	18.18%	+6.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.51%	20.24%	+4.27%

VRTGX vs. EMCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VRTGX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than EMCAX's 1.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

VRTGX vs. EMCAX - Dividend Comparison

VRTGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, more than EMCAX's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMCAX Empiric 2500 Fund	0.12%	0.13%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.51%	7.46%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.61%	0.57%	0.62%	0.85%	0.78%	0.54%	0.53%	0.90%	0.85%	0.75%	1.07%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRTGX and EMCAX in my portfolio?

VRTGX and EMCAX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VRTGX or EMCAX?

VRTGX has higher volatility (6.62%) compared to EMCAX (4.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTGX dropped -41.97% vs EMCAX's -51.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRTGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.27), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.